AUGUSTA — Veteran Maine journalist and columnist Douglas Rooks will visit Lithgow Public Library for a brown bag lunch at noon Thursday, Sept. 22.

Rooks will read from his biography, “Statesman: George Mitchell and the Art of the Possible,”  The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Community Room.

The first full-length account of the life and career of one of Maine’s most notable citizens, and a public figure of national and international standing, “Statesman” traces Mitchell’s path from his humble beginnings in Waterville to his ascent to the U.S. Senate to the present day.

The book has been praised by former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and former Congressman Tom Allen, and includes an introduction by U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine. Rooks has received numerous awards from the National Newspaper Association, New England Newspaper Association, and has been named three times as best opinion columnist in Maine. This is his first book. Questions and discussion will follow the reading.

Lithgow Library is at 45 Winthrop St. in Augusta. For more information, call the library at 207-626-2415 or visit lithgow.lib.me.us.